Relationship between retinal sensitivity and disease activity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris

OBJECTIVES: Psoriasis is a hyperproliferative chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology and ocular structures and visual pathways can also be affected during the course of this disease. Subclinical optic neuritis has previously been observed in psoriatic patients in visual evoked potential studies. This trial was designed to evaluate retinal sensitivity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: A total of 40 eyes of 40 patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis and 40 eyes of 40 age- and sex-matched control subjects were included in this study. The diagnosis of psoriasis was confirmed by skin biopsy. The severity was determined using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and the duration of the disease was recorded. After a full ophthalmological examination, including tests for color vision and pupil reactions, the visual field of each subject was assessed using both standard achromatic perimetry and short wavelength automated perimetry. RESULTS: The mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index was 22.05±6.40′. There were no significant differences in the visual field parameters of subjects versus controls using either method. There were correlations between disease severity and the mean deviations in standard achromatic perimetry and short wavelength automated perimetry and between disease severity and the corrected pattern standard deviation and pattern standard deviation of short wavelength automated perimetry (r = -0.363, r = -0.399, r = 0.515 and r = 0.369, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal sensitivity appears to be affected by the severity of psoriasis vulgaris

Perfluorodecaline residue in the anterior chamber of a patient with an intact crystalline lens: a case report

Abstract Background Perfluorocarbon liquids are frequently used as intraoperative tools in vitreoretinal surgery and may occasionally be retained in the vitreous cavity. We report a patient who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for a giant tear after receiving blunt trauma to his right eye and sustained postoperative perfluorocarbon liquid residue in the anterior chamber in spite of an intact crystalline lens. Case presentation Perfluorodecaline was used as a temporary retinal tamponade. Three weeks after the surgery, a residue of heavy liquid was observed in the anterior chamber, even though the patient had an intact crystalline lens without any tilt or dislocation. The remnant of the heavy liquid was taken out of the anterior chamber immediately to avoid secondary complications. Conclusion Presence of heavy liquids in the anterior chamber may be associated with zonular defects even though the patient has an intact crystalline lens.</p

The association between suicidal behavior severity, perceived gender equality, and childhood traumas among depressive adolescent girls: Differences between the regions of Turkey

Objective: To investigate the association between suicidal behavior, perceived gender equality, and childhood traumas among depressive adolescent girls who have attempted suicide in the last 1 year. Method: 84 adolescent girls aged between 12-18 (Eastern Provinces n=34, Western Provinces n=50) were assessed via Columbia Suicide Severity Scale by clinicians to determine the severity of their suicidal behavior. Participants and their mothers filled the Perception of Gender Scale (PGS); participants completed Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Participants from the eastern provinces had significantly lower PGS scores (t=-2.369, p=0.02) and higher BDE (t=-2.081, p=0.04), and CTQ-Emotional Neglect (U=537.500, p=0.03) scores than those from the western provinces. Participants from the eastern provinces more frequently classified into high-severity suicide cluster than those from the western provinces (X2(1)=6.215, p=0.01). PGS score was significantly correlated with both CTQ-emotional neglect score (rho=-0.240, p=0.03), maternal education level (rho=0.282, p=0.001), and maternal-PGS score (rho=0.430, p<0.001). Adolescents in high-severity suicide cluster had lower PGS (t=-2.369, p=0.02) and maternal-PGS scores (t=-2.138, p=0.03) and higher CTQ scores (t=2.195, p=0.03) than those in low-severity suicide cluster. In the logistic regression analysis, the only significant variable that predicted being in the high-severity suicide cluster was maternal-PGS score (B=-0.051, p=0.02). Discussion: The current study showed that more traditional gender role perception in mothers and adolescents was associated with more severe suicide attempts among depressive adolescent girls. Having been raised in families with more traditional social roles may have caused these adolescents to experience more emotional neglect, higher depression severity, thus more severe suicidal behavior

Corneal topographic changes in premenopausal and postmenopausal women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To asses the effect of menopause on the corneal curvature changes using corneal computerized videokeratography (CVK) in premenopausal and postmenopausal healthy women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty-six postmenopausal women with mean ages of 49.2 (range 39 to 57) were enrolled in this randomized, prospective study, comparing with 26 healthy controls with mean ages of 38.5 +/- 4.9 (range 32 to 49). Subjects were determined to be postmenopausal, by the Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, based on blood Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Estradiol, Progesterone levels and clinical complaints. Complete ophthalmic examination and CVK using Haag-Streit System was performed in both premenopausal and postmenopausal women.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mean horizontal curvature and vertical curvature of central corneal power in premenopausal women were 43.5 +/- 1.25 Diopter (D), and 44.1 +/- 1.53 D. Mean horizontal curvature and vertical curvature of central corneal power in postmenopausal women were 43.9 +/- 1.4 D, and 44.6 +/- 1.3 D. The mean keratometric astigmatisms of premenopausal and postmenopausal women were 0.81 +/- 0.57 D (4–179 degrees), 0.74 degrees +/- 0.5 D (1–180 degrees) respectively. No significant corneal curvature changes were detected between premenopausal and postmenopausal groups (P > 0.05). On the other hand, we only found negative but significant correlation between horizontal corneal curvature and estrogen level of postmenopausal women (r = -0.346, p = 0.038).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Menopause is physiologic process and may also affect corneal topographic changes. In postmenopausal women, corneal steeping was observed minimally compared to premenopausal women. The results suggest that changes in estrogen level of women with menopause are associated with slightly alteration of horizontal curvature of cornea.</p

To Evaluate the Effect of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Retinal and Choroidal Thicknesses Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose. To evaluate the retinal and choroidal thicknesses in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using optical coherence tomography. Methods. The study included 26 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 26 age-matched healthy control groups. Detailed ocular examinations were performed on all participants. Cirrus EDI-OCT (enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography) was used for choroidal thickness measurements with frame enhancement software. The subfoveal area was used for choroidal thickness measurements. Results. The patients with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had an average 239.13 ± 57.77 μm subfoveal choroidal thickness, and the control group had an average 285.02 ± 25 μm subfoveal choroidal thickness. The subfoveal choroidal thickness measurements revealed a statistically significant difference between patients and the control group (p&lt;0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between patients and control group regarding mean macular thickness, central macular thickness, and GCIPL (ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer) thickness. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between patients and control group regarding mean, superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal RNFL (retinal nerve fiber layer) thicknesses. Conclusion. Chronic hypoxemia seems to cause decreased choroidal thickness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.</jats:p

To Evaluate the Effect of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Retinal and Choroidal Thicknesses Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose. To evaluate the retinal and choroidal thicknesses in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using optical coherence tomography. Methods. The study included 26 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 26 age-matched healthy control groups. Detailed ocular examinations were performed on all participants. Cirrus EDI-OCT (enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography) was used for choroidal thickness measurements with frame enhancement software. The subfoveal area was used for choroidal thickness measurements. Results. The patients with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease had an average 239.13 ± 57.77 μm subfoveal choroidal thickness, and the control group had an average 285.02 ± 25 μm subfoveal choroidal thickness. The subfoveal choroidal thickness measurements revealed a statistically significant difference between patients and the control group (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between patients and control group regarding mean macular thickness, central macular thickness, and GCIPL (ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer) thickness. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between patients and control group regarding mean, superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal RNFL (retinal nerve fiber layer) thicknesses. Conclusion. Chronic hypoxemia seems to cause decreased choroidal thickness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease